Leave him he's not worth it.

not worth it because I have a different opinion?

considering your advanced years you have a very childish outlook.

I'll take "jaded left wing" over bigoted right wing all day long.
Homelessness is a seriously complicated issue and has been prevalent under Labour and the Tories but, even you should recognise that the problemis getting worse under this government.
The last prime minister said that she would help the J.A.M.S. (just about managing) but instead, just about every social service was cut to the bone and I would suggest that although far from being the only reason, this is the main reason for such an increase in numbers.

But that is my point, services are available if people engage with them. I was homeless (albeit very briefly), 6 night rough sleeping, 4 nights in a hostel, I engaged the relevant services and played by the rules.

Were you a crack addict?

no, nor a street drinker, my experience very much opened my eyes to [isome people's[/i reality of homelessness.

Without wanting to know your situation, how long ago was this and do you think that it is easier to engage with services now as opposed to 10 years ago ?

it was very recent, the only issue I had engaging with services was having to travel to the Housing Options office in the LA of the property I was unlawfully evicted from, why you need a "local connection" is unclear, I guess maybe to stop "homeless tourism", my biggest observation would be the ancillary support that isn't available, but that has been an issue through many governments of all persuasions.

Therefore you are not able to judge the quality of decisions those poor sods have to make. It has been shown that the same people, within a relatively short space of time, are simply not able to think as creatively or intelligently if they become addicted (no real surprise) or, maybe more surprisingly, poor.

a much more informed position than many though..would you not agree?

It is interesting, but simply stating that homeless choose that option & the support is there is wrong.

I didn't say all, and there are many contributing factors, have you spent any time talking to homeless people, understanding just why [isome[/i of them are on the streets?

No, you get your "facts" from The Mirror & Daily Star

Anyway, we digress.